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Hudson and Halls Live

14/7/2021

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By Kip Chapman, with Todd Emmerson and Sophie Roberts
​Directed by Tom Vavasour

Season: 14-21 July 2021
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Daughters Of Heaven

21/4/2021

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The New Adventures Of Snow White & Rose Red

14/1/2021

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Written and directed by Steve Millar and Garry Thomas

Season: 23-31 January 2021
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Waiting For God

30/9/2020

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Written by Michael Aitkens
Directed by Barry Grant

Season: 30 September - 10 October 2020

Cast:
​Diana - Marilyn Ollett
Tom - Roderick Turner
Jane - Marcella Herrera
Harvey - Braydon Priest
Sarah - Sylvia Barnes
Geoffrey - Matthew Holland
Reverend Denise/Doctor - Pat Hannah
Milly / Doctor - Melanie Turner
Basil / Undertaker - Ian Beswick


Reviewed by Sophie Ricketts for Backstage Christchurch

Waiting For God is a British sitcom that ran from 1990 to 1994 concerning Tom and Diana, two spirited residents of a retirement home in Bournemouth who spend their time together trying to wreak polite havoc on members of the management, while waxing lyrical about their approaching mortality. It was written by Michael Aitkens, and he adapted his work into a play in 2005.

This buddy comedy rests firmly on the shoulders of its two most central characters: Tom and Diana. As sneering sceptic Diana, Marilyn Ollett was perfectly sarcastic, snarky and sharp. Despite her character finding the misery in almost any situation I would place my bet that Marilyn was probably having the most fun out of the entire cast! Her dialogue hit the majority of the comic bullseyes. Her affable and rather innocent foil Tom was charmingly portrayed by Roderick Turner. He brought an innocence to the role which I found cute and cuddly.

As the pious and pitiful Jane, Marcella Herrera was suitably mousey. It was refreshing to see her character’s confidence grow across the arc of the play. Braydon Priest played an easily detestable Harvey, his delivery acerbic and his swagger nauseatingly unwarranted.

I felt the show took a little while to hit its stride, I’m hoping that was merely a reflection of some first night jitters. By act two we were humming along at a much smoother pace, with better voice projection.

If you’re an existing fan of the TV series you’ll enjoy this production for trying to remain as faithful as possible to the existing characterisations of the Bayview residents. The play showcases memorable moments and highlights from each of the five seasons. For those who haven’t seen it before, or simply can’t remember, you’ll enjoy chuckling away at the comical situations and occasionally poignant observations being delivered by some of these scrappy seniors. You don’t need to have a pre-existing knowledge of the series or characters to have a laugh with them, or at their expense.

The director’s note in the programme makes mention of the fact that since this is a play adapted from screen one of the challenges is that TV shows live in small moments, with many short scenes. What this translates to is more scene changes that I cared to count; though each one was handled with swift and measured choreography by an impressive stage crew of six, and underscored with peppy instrumental music to try and keep some momentum going. However, at least half of them felt completely unnecessary. Given how large the stage area is I wondered why they didn’t leave some set pieces on display permanently and merely address the changes by lighting different areas of the stage to mark these transitions. I’m presuming costume changes might have been part of the equation.

There were a couple of really stand out details I’d love to mention. Firstly, I absolutely detest stage productions which try and sidestep the use of real food and drink so it was such a joy to see real food and drink on stage during the scenes which called for it; especially the dining room scene during which it needed to look terribly unappetising, which it did. Hats off to properties manager Sally Wilson. I also thought the costuming was extremely well executed; each character had a distinctive personality which was accentuated by their style of dress, and made the passage of time noticeable too. My thanks to Sarah Cassidy for her attention to detail; the wedding dress alone was a real over the top treat and I felt it was “very Jane”.
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At its heart this production is about dignity, respect for the elderly, and allowing them to have a voice even after they move past the point of independence. The TV series did a marvellous job of raising these voices to the forefront and Elmwood Players have remained true to that purpose with this production.

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Johnny Appleseed

17/1/2020

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Written and directed by Garry Thomas & Steve Millar
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Season: 18-26 January 2020
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Be My Baby

2/10/2019

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Written by Amanda Whittington
Directed by Garry Thomas

Season: 2 - 12 October 2019

Set in 1964 in a church-run home in the north of England, it follows the fortunes of Mary Adams, 19, unmarried and seven months pregnant. A story of hope, friendship and survival.

Performances:
  • Wednesday 2nd October 2019 7:30pm.
  • Thursday 3rd October 2019 7:30pm.
  • Friday 4th October 2019 7:30pm.
  • Saturday 5th October 2019 2:00pm (Matinee).
  • Saturday 5th October 2019 7:30pm.
  • Wednesday 9th October 2019 7:30pm.
  • Thursday 10th October 2019 7:30pm.
  • Friday 11th October 2019 7:30pm.
  • Saturday 12th October 2019 7:30pm.

Prices:
  • $25 Waged.
  • $22 Unwaged.
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Cast:
  • Mrs Adams - Celia Breen
  • Matron - Karyn Gibson
  • Mary - Sammie M
  • Queenie - Elisa Jones
  • Dolores - Sarah Coursey
  • Norma - Mathilde Walbom

  • Director - Garry (Gaz) Thomas
  • Stage Manager - Steve Millar
  • Technical - TBC
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Is The Real You Really You?

8/8/2019

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Written by John Tobias
Directed by Libby Wilson

Season: 8 - 17 August 2019

Performances:
  • Thursday 8th August 2019 7:30pm.
  • Friday 9th August 2019 7:30pm.
  • Saturday 10th August 2019 7:30pm.
  • Thursday 15th August 2019 7:30pm.
  • Friday 16th August 2019 7:30pm.
  • Saturday 17th August 2019 7:30pm.

Prices:
  • $25 Waged.
  • $22 Unwaged.

Cast:
  • Honey - Sophie Noreen
  • Harold - Pete Bucher
  • Henry - Noam Wegner
  • Gloria - Ellissa Roch
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Array '19

5/6/2019

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Season: 5 - 8 June 2019

Overview:
Array ‘18 is Elmwood Players’ new-look season of short plays, interspersed with behind-the-scenes Q&A, and the added bonus of live music, all in a cabaret setting.
 
Abandon Hope
By Bronwyn Elsmore
Directed by Braydon Priest

An hilarious look at the lengths the women of the A-Bandon underwear factory will go to, on learning that their workplace, in the small town of Ruawhetu, is about to close. It’s amazing what creations you can come up with when you have to.
 

Hardstuff
By Jules Tasca
Directed by Phil Dean

A Thriller.  Matt and John, both pharmacists, are at a secluded cabin for a weekend of hunting, but John has other plans. He wants to find out if Matt is having an affair with his wife. With a gun in his hand and menace in his voice he gets Matt to tell all.


Kevin - The Other Reindeer
By Garry Thomas
Directed by Braydon Priest and Garry Thomas

Just imagine what would happen in a kids show if one of the characters had a potty mouth that would run away on them at any minute. An adult version of a scene not presented in this years’ Rapunzel.  Sholby and Oberon are two forest elves who have their picnic in the Enchanted Forest interrupted by Kevin, a reindeer.
 
You
By Mark Wilson
Directed by Garry Thomas

You tells of Kathleen, now in her mid-forties anxiously waiting for the arrival of the man whom she gave up for adoption thirty years before. Years spent insulating herself against the pain of separation and loss fall away ‘like bricks in a flood wall’ as she allows herself to recall the events of that time.  A drama.
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Performances:
  • Wednesday 5th June 2019 7:30pm.
  • Thursday 6th June 2019 7:30pm.
  • Friday 7th June 2019 7:30pm.
  • Saturday 8th June 2019 7:30pm.

Prices:
  • $20 Standard Admission.
  • $75 The Full Array. Two tickets, priority table seating, cheese board, bottle of wine of your choice, table service.

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Calendar Girls

17/4/2019

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By Tim Firth
Directed by Susan Cameron

Season: 17 - 27 April 2018

When Annie's husband John dies of leukaemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow Women's Institute members to pose nude with them for an "alternative" calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news of the women's charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie's friendship is put to the test under the strain of their newfound fame.

Prices:
  • $25 Waged
  • $22 Unwaged
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Watch our gorgeous Calendar Girls talk about why they're OK stripping off for this poignant, funny, heart warming production.
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Breath of Spring

3/10/2018

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By Peter Coke
Directed by Steve Millar

​Season: 3 - 13 October 2018


Dame Beatrice houses a collection of middle-aged 'guests', plus Lily her maid. To repay Dame Beatrice for giving her a job despite her criminal past, Lily presents her with a mink stole stolen from the next flat. The Brigadier deploys his 'troops' to return the fur. The whole campaign is so invigorating that they decide to retain this excitement in their lives by pinching furs and giving the proceeds to charities.

~ A jolly good show indeed ~
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~ A laugh out loud English comedy ~

​Cast:
Nan - Melanie Turner

Brigadier - Ian Lester
Lilly - Libby Wilson
Alice - Jane Rollings
Dame Bee - Joanna Browne
Hattie - Leeann Apps
Det Sgt Pape - Scott Morrow
PC Kemp - Ray Mainprize

Crew:
Prdn Mgr: Garry Thomas
Stage Manager: Sonya Cameron
Technical: TBA
Properties: Sonya Cameron
Costumes: TBA
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Watch director Steve Millar discussing the play with an appearance from a special "guest":
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